AAP July 16, 2009 12:11pm NEW laws making it an offence to raise or lower a car's suspension without proper approval is about saving lives, New South Wales Roads Minister Michael Daley says. From August 1, car owners will be limited to raising or lowering their suspension by no more than five centimetres, and all modifications will need approval from Roads and Traffic Authority engineers.

Currently, a car can be raised or lowered by up to five centimetres without approval and by up to 15 centimetres with approval.

Mr Daley says while drivers may think a lowered car looks "cool" it really is dangerous and any adjustment of more than five centimetres doesn't belong on the road.

"I don't want to see young hoons putting their lives or the lives of others at risk, just because they think their car looks better 15 centimetres closer to the ground," Mr Daley said.

"Raising or lowering a vehicle's height can put the driver, passengers and other road users at risk.

"It can affect handling, braking and safety features such as electronic stability control."

Any vehicle that is raised or lowered after August 1 will have to carry a certificate stating that the modifications confirm to safety standard requirements.

Well agro they will use the coppers to police it. There gunna have a feild day. They'll probably just defect what ever annoys them then just let the RTA pits sort it out. More money for the NSW govt. that way anyway.

so does this mean you have to prove the car was lowered before the 1/8/09 so it will be looking ugly for air bags so does this also mean bump stop clearence is out the window the boys and girls in blue are going to have a feild day with this one thanx wizard

Found this on a 4wd site from ATHOL he is a engineer in newcastle --------------------------------------------------------------------------------FFS, as if I didn't already have enough to do with the RTA demanding copies of hundreds of certificates to be supplied before the end of this month on top of all my usual work.

It talks about banning vehicles from being lowered by 150mm, claiming that this is possible with an engineering certificate. Well, I'm an engineer who would have to pass such things and I have never seen any vehicle that could ever be legally lowered 150mm...

This is not the NCOP. As far as I know, that's still under revision.

NO information about this has been provided to signatories so far, and none that I know of were consulted.

NSW Parliament don't sit again until September, so there is no legislative basis for his announcement. If something does come out, it will have to be an amendment to the existing NSW code of practice (there have never been any amendments to this) or a new Vehicle Standards Information sheet.

Right now, it's hollow. Means nothing until they either issue new rules or legislate something in September or later. If they don't issue any new rules, the current ones will continue until they do.

There are 428 speed humps in the Newcastle district and the number is growing. Try being a Paramedic and trying to get to a job at any decent speed when you have to slow down every 70 metres. The Pano hates the speed humps too. It would have to be a cranky cop to pull out a tape measure on an old holden round here. But anything is possible..But one things for sure ...BOO that traffic minister BOO!

Michael Daley has just released a press release ataing that following this morning's meeting he has agreed to put the proposed VSI50 rule changes on hold.

Michael Daley was present at a meeting this morning because he has been bombarded with so many letters and emails from all of you at 4WD Action via the website and forumand other upset 4WDers he felt the need to sort this out. Your efforts in writing and emailing in are directly responsible for this outcome. We have spoken and we have been heard!

Because Minister Daley was at the meeting he was able to be convinced that the VSI50 rules needed more thought and a working group including reps from the RTA, 4WD user groups and the AAAA, aftermarket industry will be set up to discuss any further changes aimed at increasing road safety.

This is fantastic news for 4Wders and it has happened because of the combined fight that we all put in to prevent this.

Great work everyone, this is a hugely successful outcome and while nothing has been decided re new regulations this is a massive step forward for us.

Congratulations everyone and this has proven the collective power we have when we all stand up together for what is right.

Thanks again,

We have won the battle but noit teh war. We must keep[ pressure on to prevent future reg changes but you've all done a massive job here and should be very proud.